Applying to Bocconi University in Italy but didn’t do well on the SAT? Then you may want to take the Bocconi Admission Test.
What?!? No SAT?
Before you jump at the chance NOT to take the SAT, let’s break down the Bocconi Admission Test and why you may want to take it, even if you took the SAT.
What is the Bocconi Admission Test?
The Bocconi Admission Test is a 75-minute, 50-question test specifically designed for students applying to Bocconi.
Each correct answer is worth 1 point. Incorrect answers cost you 0.2 points. If you score lower than 17, you’re out of the application process. A good competitive score is 35 points out of 50. To achieve this score, you will have to answer every question (no blanks).
All questions are multiple-choice with 5 answers. There are different types of questions and they are mixed by the level of difficulty (easy, medium, difficult) and topic (e.g., reading, math). We’ll cover the 4 subject areas so you know what to expect.
Mathematics (28 questions)
To assess your ability to carry out operations with numbers, figures, and/or arithmetical signs and choose the correct answer quickly and precisely from a series of results. You’ll see:
- Algebra
- Functions
- Plane geometry
- Analytical geometry
- Trigonometry
- Sets
- Logarithms and exponents
- Discrete mathematics
- Numbers
- Problem-solving
- Statistics
You can find a description of each math topic area here.
Reading Comprehension (11 questions)
To assess your ability to interpret texts fluently, correctly apply the mental processes associated with the categorization of verbal concepts and information, correctly detail the main, supporting, and/or complementary ideas to draw correct conclusions from a written text. You read a one-paragraph passage and answer a question about it.
Numerical Reasoning (6 questions)
To assess your ability to draw conclusions from charts, graphs, and tables.
Critical Thinking (5 questions)
A passage or data and statements are followed by an assertion, and the applicant must decide whether this information, based on what is given in the passage, is true, false, or it cannot be deduced from the text because information is missing.
Can you prepare for the Bocconi Admission Test?
Absolutely!
Despite what is written on Bocconi’s website, you can prepare for the test and we have seen students increase the number of correct answers with practice.
Even just knowing the actual format of the test increases your score.
We firmly believe that you can prepare for EVERY test…and should.
Our homeboy Benjamin Franklin once said (or wrote):
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
So, here’s how we prepare students for the Bocconi Test.
How to Prepare for the Bocconi Admission Test
1. Become familiar with the format of the test.
Read Bocconi’s admissions test page to learn everything you can about the exam.
2. Use SAT reading and math strategies for these subject areas.
Once you actually start looking at each subject area, you’ll see some examples of the questions that parallel (though not exactly the same) what you have seen on the SAT. You can use the same strategies!
For Reading Comprehension, use your SAT writing knowledge. You’ll have to read the passage quickly and carefully, then use process of elimination (POE) to eliminate the incorrect answers. DO NOT try to save time by not reading the passage. Correct answers often tie together concepts from multiple parts of the passage so you will end up reading the whole thing anyway.
Some questions will be easy and some will be hard. They are spread throughout the test and NOT in order of difficulty.
So…
Don’t make the classic test taker mistake of speeding through the easy questions. Take your time on the easy questions so that you get them correct. You need them to build your score because…
Incorrect answers cost you 0.2 points. You should ANSWER EVERY QUESTION on this test.
For harder questions, POE and then guess. Correct answers are 5 times more valuable than incorrect ones so answer every question. Do NOT leave questions to come back to. You only have 75 minutes for 50 questions so it is unlikely that you will have time to get back to it.
The Numerical Reasoning questions are easier versions of SAT math section 4 (the calculator section), which includes more charts, data, and graphs for analysis than the non-calculator section. You won’t need a calculator for the Bocconi test, but you should know your fractions, percents, and decimal equivalents. You may need to estimate the relative numbers from charts and tables.
3. Prepare thoroughly for the math questions.
For math questions, we hope you are up to date on your algebra! If you have done SAT prep, you are more than halfway there. You can expect to see lots of functions, algebra 2, and geometry on the Bocconi test. (If you haven’t prepped for the SAT, email us for help.)
However…
There are also logarithms. Most of the ones we found center around the definitions of logarithms. Be sure to complete these worksheets and really understand how to estimate logs:
4. Do more practice for the Critical Thinking section.
Some questions on the critical thinking part of the Bocconi Admissions Test can be like a logic puzzle. We’ve used these before with students and seen improvement:
If you want something else to practice, try logic puzzles! You can think about them and work them out. It uses the same skills as the Reading Comprehension section.
5. Take the practice tests!
Use the practice above for practice. When you think you are ready, take one of the practice tests provided by Bocconi. Here are the links to them with our comments.
This latest practice test gives you an updated exam of the questions and wording…
But…
The structure doesn’t match the actual test. In the real test, all the questions will be mixed. However, this test is still fantastic for practice. You should do all of the practice tests timed, so spend a maximum of 75 minutes on practice test 1.
The other problem with this test is that all the correct answers are already bolded for you! In order to get rid of that, convert the PDF to a word document and bold everything or unbold everything. No looking at the correct answers ahead of time!
This test matches the mixed style of the Bocconi test but it’s only half the length. To compensate, spend only 37.5 minutes completing this test. The answers are on the last page so you can use the PDF as-is.
Another test styled like Practice Test 2. Again, take 37.5 minutes to complete.
6. Do the Bocconi Simulation.
You MUST do the online Bocconi test simulation before you take the real example because it is exactly like the real exam. Take it seriously and do the test in only 75 minutes, under test conditions. That means…
Try to set your room up as it will be during the real test…
Don’t use your calculator…
Have your camera positioned correctly (even though it won’t be on)…
And whatever else you can think of for the test set up on the real exam day. You want to run through this setup over and over so that you are not anxious when it’s time for the real exam.
7. Take the Bocconi test more than once.
Yes! Awesome!
You can take the Bocconi online test more than once. In fact, you can take it 3 (yes 3!) times.
Be sure to thoroughly read the Bocconi test site so that you know when you can take the test and the procedure. You must take the test before you apply. Plan your time and testing wisely! A good score that supports your application is 35 points out of 50.
Should you take the Bocconi Admission Test or SAT?
This is the magic question. It’s not really. You should take both.
Preparing for the SAT will make you sharp for the Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, and Numerical Reasoning sections of the Bocconi Admission Test. This advanced preparation drastically cuts down the amount of time needed to prepare for the Bocconi test.
More importantly, the Bocconi Admission Test is only good for Bocconi. If you are applying to other universities (which you should be), they will not accept the Bocconi Test. Therefore, you will probably have to take the SAT anyway.
So then why bother with the Bocconi test?
It’s a great backup in case the SAT doesn’t go how you want. Bocconi University accepts a MINIMUM of 1040 on the SAT, but students often apply with more than 1350.
Less than 1350 on the SAT? Take the Bocconi test as well. We can prepare you for BOTH exams.
Happy Students are Our Business!
Hi, I am taking the Bocconi Test next Saturday (16/9/2023). Do you have any advice for me? or any additional trainings?